Assam: AJP files FIR against BJP leaders for violating Covid protocols

DIBRUGARH: 

The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) on Sunday filed an FIR against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders for violating Covid protocols while receiving Union Minister Sarbananda Sonwal at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport on August 21.

The AJP further added that on Saturday, post Sonowal’s arrival in Guwahati, the Assam state BJP also organised a “Jana Ashirwad Yatra” where various BJP leaders and government officials participated in large numbers violating the Covid Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) laid by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).

"On August 17, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority had issued Covid SOP restricting the gathering of over 200 people at public places. But, the BJP ‘s welcome ceremony and the yatra witnessed large gatherings defying the SOP," said a member of the AJP.

AJP stated that the act by the members of the BJP amounts to willful violation of IPC 188/269/270/271 which imparts important caution of "likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.

"More than 200 people took part in the welcoming ceremony including ministers, members of parliament, and administrative officers including Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup (M) District, Biswajit Pegu, assembled at LGBI Airport as well as at Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Kshetra, Jalukbari, which is a violation of SOP issued by the Government of Assam," alleged AJP in the FIR.

The statement from the AJP further stated that the people who violated the restrictions are the same ministers and administrative officers who issued the SOP and therefore they must be booked for the same.

"Any person violating the guidelines is liable to be prosecuted as per provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under sec. 188/269/270/271 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable," the statement from AJP read.

(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)

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